Program Proposals

And Treatments

Now that you know who does what and you
have an overview of the basic production process, let's move on to the
actual process of doing a TV production.

Even though you may have a clear idea in your
head about what you want to get across in a production, unless you can
clearly communicate that idea to the people who can help you launch
your production, that's just where your idea will stay -- in your head.

These
people include the producer,
director, production crew, sponsor, and, most importantly,
your audience.

So where do you start?

Writing the Program Proposal or Treatment

The first step in a complex
production is to write a clear and succinct summary of your ideas.

We refer to this summary as a treatment
in dramatic productions and a program proposal
in non-dramatic productions.

Often, just the process of putting things down on
paper allows you to better organize and clarify your ideas.

This step often reveals weaknesses and gaps
you should address before it's too late (or before you're asked
about some embarrassing details you hadn't thought of).

Get Agreement on Your Proposal

Getting the go-ahead on a
proposal affords everyone a bit of insurance. Once everyone agrees on
the treatment or program proposal, it's difficult for someone to say
later, "This isn't what we agreed on."

This is especially
important in large production facilities and television networks, where
a variety of people will be involved in program development.

Asimple program proposal may
be just a couple of pages or, in the case of a feature-length dramatic
production, a treatment can run 60 pages or more.

This is as good a place as any to mention the
importance of writing.

Yes, I know, you've heard that since you were
in fourth grade.

There may even be some people out there who
decided to go into TV (rather than print journalism, for example)
because they thought they might be able to escape having to learn how
to write.

Sorry.

Although it's a visual medium, TV is still
based on the written word. When you get down to it, your ability to
write and effectively communicate your ideas end up being the most
important criterion for success.

Unless you want to stick with the very basic jobs
in TV, you have to face this reality -- and the sooner the better.

Interestingly, most producers (the people in
charge, remember?) arrived at their jobs by first being writers.

Wouldn't you rather end up being someone who
makes the major decisions (and is paid accordingly)?

Okay, back to treatments and program proposals.

Although we write them as an aid in presenting
and getting agreement on the focus and direction of the production,
they are also used to interest key people in supporting the
production -- especially financial backers.

See That Your Proposal Engages the

Audience's Interest and Imagination

A program proposal or treatment
should cover the essence of the production; or, in the case
of a dramatic production, the basic story line.

Dramatic treatments also include the locations
and talent required, as well as the key scenes.

In non-dramatic program proposals the basic
production needs and approximate times of the segments are
included.

Anyone reading a program proposal or treatment
should be able to get a clear idea of the entire production.

If disagreement exists on the program
concept, it's much easier to change things at this stage than after
the complete script is
written.